| abstract |
An antibody having higher affinity for mesothelin is provided. Mesothelin is a differentiation antigen present on the surface of ovarian cancer, mesothelioma and some other types of human cancer. In normal tissues, mesothelin is present only in mesothelial cells, so mesothelin represents a good target for antibody-mediated delivery of cytotoxic drugs. The present invention relates to an anti-mesothelin antibody comprising an Fv molecule having a particularly high affinity for mesothelin, and an immunoconjugate utilizing the antibody. Also described are diagnostic and therapeutic methods using this antibody. This anti-mesothelin antibody is suitable for diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, mesothelioma and other malignant cells expressing mesothelin. [Selection figure] None |